Bill Bowker Benefit

12 hours ago

5 min read

As far as DJs go, Bill Bowker is a jewel in the crown of DJs in this area. Bill is so full of music knowledge and a true lover and supporter of the arts and everything music.

On September 27, 2026 KC Turner and Bill DeCarli arranged a beautiful day of music and love at the Hopmonk Tavern in Sebastopol to benefit the lovely human we have all come to know and love behind the mic, Bill Bowker. Recently, Bill has been suffering with health issues after a fall. So as this community does best, we gathered together for a day of music and love, and are raising money to help out with Bills' medical bills. If you'd like to contribute, please follow this Go Fund Me link to help out the Bowkers. Thank you!

The day was full of non stop music and happy faces. It had been a sold out event for a while, as Bill is one of the most beloved radio personalities this community has ever seen. He's never been huge on social media though, but he has been voted the number one DJ for so many years, I've lost track. And he's never, not once, ever, asked for even one vote from the public, on air or on social media...that's when one really knows, he is truly loved.

Davie Alvin, Mark Karan and band (Randy and Johnny Campbell).

Musicians such as Janiva Magness, Roy Rogers, The Pulsators, Poor Mans Whiskey, Dave Alvin and David Luning came out to play for Bill, amongst many others. If you've ever listened to Bill on the KRSH airwaves, you'd know that David Luning has a special place in Bills musical heart, and there's a genuine mutual admiration between the two. David has had loads of spins and time with Bill chatting on air in the studio. If you were listening to the two, you felt the love between them. And on this day at the Hopmonk, when David, Dave, Ben and Linden took the stage - the love was being played for Bill in every note. Here's a song of Davids' he sang to Bill that's very touching and oh so true.... "Buddies till the End".

https://youtu.be/vT8k14TPi4M?si=_gj27BAecxTvRYa1

Back in 2006 when I started working at Wine Country Radio I met this kind soft spoken morning DJ who is thought of as one of Sonoma Countys' finest. Soon after starting work at the Krush, I got to know this very popular, and highly respected radio personality, Bill Bowker. One of our first converstaions, I shared with Bill was that I grew up in So Cal and my fave station was KROQ. He then shared a story with me about his time working at KROQ because it actually inspired him to head up north. He told me that when KROQ became formatted, he quit and that's when he made his way up to NorCal and landed as a DJ on KVRE. After many changes within KVRE, and ultimately closing in 1988, the DJs and staff from KVRE eventually moved over to the new station in town that we now know as the Krush. Bill Bowker hosted his signature Blues with Bowker and expertly DJ'd his morning show for decades before retiring. His Blues with Bowker show continued until fairly recently, as he has been experiencing some health issues. As this community does so well....we gather together and help our friends. Last Sunday, Sonoma County's music community gathered together for a full day of music, to honor and say hello to our friend Bill Bowker, with a benefit to raise funds to help with medical expenses.

Bill has always been a family man and whilst I worked at the Krush I also got to work with his daughter Krista and see her two boys grow up over the years. Lavonna and Bill Bowker have been married for 54 years. And Lavonna

Bill and Lavonna 54 years ago when they got married!

made sure Bill ate well each and every day. I used to pop into to Bills office during lunch and hit that sweet moment when he was opening his lunchbox packed by lovely Lavonna each day. Apart from his mild mannered, calm personality both on and off the air, Bill is always so authentic, and he never held back his enthusiasm for that moment at lunch opening the lunch his lifelong love and best friend packed for him. And he always has a smile for the listeners who have adored him over the years and obviously still do, judging from the out pouring of love and support for him and his family on this very special day of love in Sebastopol.

Lavonna and Bill Bowker in their 54th year together!

KC Turner and Bill De Carli put this event together and it was a smashing success. There is so much love for the Bowkers. I am truly honored to have been able to work with him for a decade at the radio station, and know him and his lovely family for the last 20 years. Hoping Bill and Lavonna have many more years together, enjoying this community who adore them both, as if they are family to all of us. ❤️

As always....Life is short and gets shorter everyday. Live life NOW. Please, be kind to each other. Greet each day with love in your heart. Never regret anything that made you smile. Make amends to those we may have hurt along the way. Take accountability and apologize - we are human and everyone makes mistakes! Life is precious. Remember that it can end at any moment. Keep learning, growing, healing and improve yourself daily. We can always get better. Protect our democracy. Use your voice and PLEASE VOTE! Your vote does count! And we must all help take care of our planet. Turn up the music and see art! With love and gratitude,

Cheryl, at The Music Soup ❤️✌🏻🎵 Check out and subscribe to The Music Soup Video You Tube channel! This day of music and others will be posted here: The Music Soup You Tube channel. More videos are posted daily.

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Need of a photographer?...Contact me: AltermanImages@gmail.com Attention: Music and Photography lovers: If you're in or near Sonoma County, and would like to check out over 2000 square feet of my music photography exhibit. Visit the only permanent Music Photography Gallery in the North Bay...3011 Santa Rosa Ave, Santa Rosa. It's upstairs, above Dobe Cafe, right between Cycle Gear and Doobie Nights Dispensary. Artist is present every Saturday noon-3pm. ©Cheryl Alterman Photography 2026